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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-11-04

Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

  • [01]Tuesday, 04 November 2003 Jack Straw: Annan plan is the only realistic basis for a settlement

    [01] Jack Straw: Annan plan is the only realistic basis for a settlement

    "The United Kingdom believes that the only realistic basis for a comprehensive settlement is the UN Secretary-General's settlement plan and we are encouraged that the Government of Cyprus supports a resumption of negotiations on this basis", the British Foreign Secretary Mr Jack Straw has noted. Speaking yesterday after a meeting with the Cypriot Foreign Minister Mr Georgios Iacovou, who is paying an official visit to London, Mr Straw said "this is a very important time for Cyprus, as it looks forward to European Union accession in the spring of next year" and added that the accession of a reunited island would be in the interest of all Cypriots, of Turkey, of the EU and of the region as a whole. Replying to a question on whether Britain could contribute towards a solution by exerting influence over Ankara to convince it to change its stance on Cyprus, Mr Straw pledged that his government would continue to work "in that constructive way and in an active way as well" and expressed hope for a settlement before 1 May 2004. On his part, Foreign Minister Iacovou underlined that the Cyprus Government was strongly advocating the idea of the accession of a reunited Cyprus to the EU, reiterating the position that the Greek Cypriot side would agree to attend negotiations for a settlement on the basis of the Annan plan whenever called for by the UN Secretary-General. "It is a matter of regret for us that over so many months the Turkish side has not indicated such willingness. On the contrary, it is the well-known Mr Denktash who said that the Annan plan is 'dead and buried'. We also have concerns about both public and private briefings by the Turkish Prime Minister and Foreign Minister that seem to want to take the negotiations outside the Mission of Good Offices of the Secretary General. That we definitely shall resist", Mr Iacovou further said. Invited to say whether any progress towards a solution was feasible while Mr Denktash remained in power, Mr Iacovou pointed out that a new Turkish Cypriot leadership was a necessary but not sufficient condition for moving forward with a settlement, since a change in Ankara's stance was the key to a solution. Replying to another question, Mr Iacovou said that the clock was ticking for Turkey as a decision would be made by the end of 2004 on whether to grant Ankara a date for commencing EU accession talks. Although the solution of the Cyprus problem was not a precondition for Turkey's accession to the EU, it was a political criterion that would be assessed in tandem with other criteria, the Foreign Minister noted and warned that not finding a solution to the Cyprus problem by May 2004 would bear "serious ramifications" on Turkey's EU accession course. As regards the issues discussed during his meeting with the British Foreign Secretary, Mr Iacovou said these included the Cyprus problem, matters of bilateral interest such as the discussion on a European Constitution currently taking place in the framework of the Intergovernmental Conference, and the latest developments regarding the Titina Loizidou case. Earlier yesterday, Mr Iacovou held a meeting at the Foreign Office with the British Minister for Europe, Mr Denis MacShane.

    From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/


    Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article
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